My alloys - anyone know the cause of this?

[zoidberg]

The alloys on my ST220 have got some pits and what looks like white corrosion spots on - anyone know what causes this, what I can do about it and whether it will be expensive to sort!?

TIA.

[The_Burg]

Looks like salt damage from the picture.
Polish off and re-lacquer required.

[LuS1fer]

Or indeed stone chips. Air gets to the alloy, it corrodes and creeps under the lacquer every time it gets wet. One reason why painted wheels are so much better as it tends to be thicker. Looks sufficiently bad to require a strip and relacquer or better still, paint them.

[eldudereno]

This is a common problem with ST220 alloys. How old is your car? Even if it's out of warranty, Ford might be nice enough to replace them for you.

[900T-R]

Looks like those wheels are polished and lacquered (clearcoated) rather than sprayed silver? In that case, unfortunately that is normal as the clearcoat gets minimal damage over time, moisture creeps under it and the aluminium corrodes. Only way to correct is stripping off the lacquer, sand and re-polish and apply new lacquer. Expect to repeat every 2 years or so if the wheels are to remain in pristine nick.
Did this myself in younger days on the OE alloys of his Lancia Thema, and on one of his mates' cars - never again! These days, I'd send the wheels straight to the nearest wheel refinishing place to save the aggro...

Edited by 900T-R on Thursday 15th June 15:40

[zoidberg]

eldudereno said:

This is a common problem with ST220 alloys. How old is your car? Even if it's out of warranty, Ford might be nice enough to replace them for you.

It's a 2003/03. Will contact Ford about it.

Thanks for everyone's replies.

[batphink]

They look like a diamond cut finish not polished. Means they need re-cutting and laquering not cheap but not too expensive if you have to pay yourself. Get some winter wheels though and you won't have refurb them every few years.

[mcflurry]

My Brabus Monoblocks did the same after 2.5 years...

£1645 for a new set or a couple of £100 on ebay

[900T-R]

batphink said:

They look like a diamond cut finish not polished.

I think you're right. Not that I wouldn't use the 'strip, wet sand and polish, then re-apply clearcat from areosol' technique on those back in my student days on those mind, you wouldn't notice the difference unless you were looking at them from 1 foot distance and had a 'new' wheel to compare, if they looked presentable again the job was a good'un...

[gtr-gaz]

I have the same problem with the alloys on my 2003 Honda Accord, except mine are far worse.
I got in touch with the dealer, he took some pictures and has ordered a complete new set which they will fit (free of charge) as soon as I can arrange to take it down there.

He said it's a flaw in the castings?

(Car is almost 3 years old)


BTW, I can see what looks like a hairline crack on the rim of yours?

Edited by gtr-gaz on Thursday 15th June 16:25

[zoidberg]

gtr-gaz said:

BTW, I can see what looks like a hairline crack on the rim of yours?

Well spotted! Just checked it and luckily it was a piece of dirt. Phew.